Method and machine for use in packaging of bacon or the like



Oct'. 6, 1959 B. T. HENSGEN ETAL METHOD AND MACHINE FOR USE IN PACKAGING0F BACON OR THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 20, 1956 INVENTORSBERNARD 7. HEN-56E ERNEST BOA/AMI OGDEN A. CL EMENS er a ATTOR/V Y Oct.6, 1959 HENSGEN L 2,907,152

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR USE IN PACKAGING OF BACON OR THE LIKE Filed Dec.20, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 IVE/V565 O/VAM/ 0605 A. CLEMENS 1N VEN TORS BYK g BER/YARD 7. E R/VES 7' 5 ATTORNEY Oct. 6, 1959 B. T. HENSGEN ETAL2,907,152

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR USE IN PACKAGING OF BACON OR THE LIKE Filed Dec.20, 1956 6 Sheets-$heet 3 J 0% BERNARD 7. lv/EMSGE/l znavssr aaA/AM/OGDEN A; CLEMENS INVENTORS A fro/may Oct. 6, 1959 B. 'r. HENSGEN ETAL2,9 5

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR usz IN PACKAGING OF BACON OR THE LIKE Filed Dec.20, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIIIII l- BER/YARD 7. HEW-76E ERA/57 BOA AMI0605 A. CZEMEl/S' IN VEN TORS BY- yfidjz Oct- 6, 195 B. T. HENSGEN ETAL2,907,152

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR USE IN PACKAGING OF BACON OR THE LIKE Filed Dec.20, 1956 6 Sheets-$heet 5 BY mix/2a; A froRA/y O t 1 B. T. HENSGEN EI'AL2,907,152

7 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR USE IN PACKAGING 0F BACON OR THE LIKE FiledDec. 20. 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS 2/2 .9.9 J BERNARD 7: HEN$6IVERNEST BOA/AMI Z06 0605 A CZEMEWS B) K 4'. "l

A rroe/vey of cellophane or the like.

present invention is to provide'a novel method and an NIETHOD AND,MACHINE FOR USE IN PACK- AGING OEBACONOR THE LIKE Bernard Heiisgen,.Ernest Bonami, and Ogden A. Clemens, Chicago, Ill., a'ssignors to Swift& Company, Chicago, 111;, a corporation of Illinois Application December20,-1956,1seria1 No. 629,531

v21 Claims. or. 53-35 The present invention relates to a method andapparatus for placing units of product on a sheet of cardboard or' thelike, and is more specifically directed to such'a method and apparatusfor positioning shingled slices of meat such as bacon on the cardboarddividers used in packaging the meat.

Various types of bacon slicing and shingling machines are in use today.One type of such machine is illustrated and described in United Statespatent application No. 348,932, filed April 15, '1953, now Patent No.2,898,722, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.Many ofsuch devices, as illustrated by the one to which reference hasbeen made, incorporate apparatus for dividing the shingled slices'intogroups on a conveyor. It is the present practice in the industry to runthese groups to packing tables, at which tables sit workers who put thegroups onto dividers, weigh the amount of product on the divider, makesuch corrections as may be necessary in the amount of product asindicated by the weighing step, fold half of the divider down over theproduct on the remaining half of the divider and pass the product alongfor wrapping which is done in a sheet The principal object of theapparatus for taking the. shingled enclosing them in a divider.

The present invention is important because it enables the production ofautomatic bacon producing apparatus. Existing apparatus is alreadycommercially available for slicing and shingling the bacon into groupson a conveyor. Automatic apparatus for check weighing a series of unitsis commercially available and machines are available for automaticallywrapping dividers of sliced and shingled bacon. The present inventionbreaches the remaining gap in the automatic flow of bacon from theslicer to the wrapped package.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the typedescribed wherein all the timing of groups of bacon and the movement ofthe parts of the apparatus originates with or is tied to the arrival ofthennit of product, whether it be a group of slices of bacon orotherwise, at a given point along a conveyor. This is quite advan=tageous because it eliminates any necessity for having an exact spacingbetween the units of product (as long as the units are spacedsufficiently far apart to allow for'the positioning of a divider ashereinafter described) nor is it necessary that the speed of movement ofthe feed con- I veyor be accurately timed so as to time the movement ofother parts with respect thereto. In the present invention a unit ofproduct arriving at the end of the feed conveyor initiates a sequence ofoperations with the steps in the sequence being initiated by theoccurrence of the preceding step or steps.

One of the advantages obtained .by the method and apparatus we havedevised is speed of operation. This is importantfrom the standpoint ofnot having this particular step in the complete chain of operationsacting are illustrated in Figure 7.

2,907,152 Patented Oct. 6, 1959 as a bottleneck for the complete chain.By moving the cards on which the product is positioned from oppositeFigure 3 is a section taken at line 33 of Figure 2; I Figure 4 is apartial section taken at line 4-4 'of' I Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged 55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged side view of the means for withdrawing thedividers from the magazine and for pre folding the dividers;

Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the control apparatus; and

Figure 8 is. an isometric view of the shingled group of bacon positionedon a divider with the divider partially folded thereover.

The method of the present invention comprises taking the shingled groupsof slices of meat and-moving the groups in spaced relationship along aparticular path having a particular terminal point. The dividers onwhich the groups of bacon or meat are to be placed are positioned at theterminal point with one portion of the divider extending rearwardly fromthe terminal point,

that is in the reverse of the direction of movement of the groups, andbelow the path traveled by the groups. The other portion of the dividerextends forwardly. of

this terminal point and preferably extends upwardly above the level ofthe path of travel of the groups. As

a group approaches the terminal pointand commences to move pastithatpointthe divider is moved in;the same direction at substantially thesame rate of speed,{with; the group being deposited on thedivider aseach moves along. The forward portion of the divider is then folded backover the group that has been deposited on the divider. As soon as onedivider has moved away from the terminal point a new dividerispositioned at that point. Preferably this is .doneby moving the divider.along a course transverse to the path of travel of the groups.

Illustrated in Figure 8 is a singled group 10 of slices of I baconpositioned on a divider 11. The portion 12 of the divider 11 was theportion that was positioned under the path of travel of the slices andrearwardly of the terminal point of that path. The portion 13 waspositioned forwardly of that terminal point'and has been bent partiallydown over the group 10 in the illustration of Figure 8.

According to the usual practices the two portions 12 and 13 of thedivider 11 will be brought together around their peripheries and thenwrapped in cellophane or other suitable packaging material'to completethe product for shipment. An embodiment of themachine for carrying outthis method has been illustrated in the drawings. This machine comprisesthe following general elements mounted on a frame generally 14: afeed-conveyor generally 15 for the groups of shingled slices, a cardpositioning means generally 16 for feeding the dividers into theposition outlined in the foregoingdescription of the method, a l:take-away conveyor generally 17, powermeans generally 18 and a controlmeans," the various elements of which partial section takenat line Powermeans The power means 18 includes a motor 21 having a sprocket 22mounted on the output shaft thereof.

Sprocket 22 is connected by :achainz23 to a sprocket 24 on'a shaft 25."Shaft 25 is mounted :in suitable bearings I Feed conveyor Thefeed-conveyor comprises a plurality'of endless belts 40 passingoverapair of pulleysj41 and 42. Preferably pulley 42 is of a relatively smallradius so as to facilitatethe proper positioningof the groups of slicesof product onto the dividers. Because of the relatively small radius ofpulley 42 and in order to insure even traction of the groups of productmoving along theconveyor, .belts 40 are made of a rubberor similarmaterial. Pulley "42 is journaled in arms 43 (Figure 3) forminga part offrame 14. Pulley 41 is attached to a shaft 44 to which :is also attacheda sprocket 45. Sprocket 45 is driven from the power means 18 by thechain 29; Shaft 44'-:is suitably mounted in bearings 46. A roller 47mounted-in bearings48 has a plurality of slots (not shown) therein intowhich fit the lower runs of belts 40. Roller .47 serves as abelttightener and as a guide to hold the :belts. in alignment on pulleys41 and 42.

Becauseof .it being more ditlicult to clean the rubber 1 belts thanit isto clean belts of other material, for

example stainless steel, these belts are made of relatively shortlength. I The groups of slices are brought to the feed conveyor 15 byanother conveyor generally 50 Consisting of a plurality of stainlesssteel belts51 carried on roller 41, roller 52-and an intermediatesupporting roller 53. Roller 52 is mounted on axle 54 journaled inbearings '55. Roller 53-has axles 56 rotatably supported in brackets 57.The drive'for belts 51 comes frompulley 41through sprocket and chain 29.Preferably roller 52 is grooved so as to form guides for the belts -51.A

pair of arms .59 pivotally connected to frame 14 rotatably support aroller 60 about which the belts 51 pass and which serves as a tightenerfor the belts.

Take-away conveyor The take-away conveyor 17 includes a roller 62'carried .on..a plurality of pulleys 68 rotatably mounted onashaft 69(Figure 5). Shaft 69 is carried-on a pivotable. subframe formed by apair: of arms 70- attached to shaft 71 (Figures 1, 3 and 5).. Shaft 71ismounted in bearings ,72. A pairof cross bars '73 hold arms -70 rigid.- 7An L-shaped actuating member .74 has anend of one leg- 75thereofattached to shaft 71, while the otherw.leg 76 extends into andforms an armature tforza solenoid 77. a A pair :ofstops 78 and; 79 onleg 76 serve to-limit the motion=-of the roller. 68 as the fI-amCLiSpivoted withthe' energizing and de-energizing of solenoid 77. Whilenotactually a part-.of the.take-awaywonveyor,

immediately thereabove are a pair-ofnrollers 82eand' 83i- 5 whose axles84-and 85, respectively, are ijournaled :inix.

brackets'86 and 87, respectively; As is apparent, particularly in Figure5, roller 83,-is at -a lesser elevation; than is roller. 82. The two.rollers serve to complete-the-fold.

ing of the." upper .portion' 13 of the divider ll down-over f the"g'roup10 ofislices 'as is hereinafter described...

Cordv positioning means; The card positioning means 16 comprises *atransfer table 90, a pair of magazines 91 and 92, one of which is ateach side of the machine, and a pair of feeding means 93 and 94, one ateach side of'the machine, for removing a divider at a time from themagazines and positioning the dividers on the transfer table. Tableincludes a top plate 96 having a cutout 9.7.and 98 adjacent each endthereof. The shape of each cutout is to fit around the pulleys 68andsabout an .extendingfportion, of the feeding means 93 and94. Plate-96is attached .to an inverted channel 99 (Figures 4 and 5). 100 rotatablyattached .to channel 99 travel in;slots"101 milled in angles 102 forminga part .of frame.14.-' A de pending arm 104 secured to channel 99 isattached to the piston rod 105' of an air cylinder 106 Air cylinder 106is suitably secured to frame 14.

Secured to channel 99 are a pair of vacuum manifolds 107 and108 eachwith a hollow interior. The hollow interior ,of manifold 107communicates with three vacuum heads 109 and that of manifold 108communicates with three vacuum" heads 110. Each ofthe' group. of

three vacuum-heads 109 and 110, respectively, form'a divider engagingmeansv on the transfer table 90. A pipe. 111 to which is connected ahose 112 communicates with" the hollow interior of vacuum head 107. Acorresponding pipe 113 and hose 114 communicates with vacuumv manifold108.

A pair of pins v115 and 116 project from theiside of table 90 to actuatea pair of microswitches of the control. means as hereinafter described.

The two magazines 91 and, 92 are duplicates as are the two feeding means93 and 94,except for their being on.- opposite sides ofthe. machine.Thefeeding means.94 and magazine 92 on the front side of the machine, asseen in Figures 1 and 2, will be described and to the extent thatreference. is made to the corresponding parts of the. magazine 91andfeeding'means 93 onthe back side of the. machine, the same numberswill be applied to the parts except for the use of a prime after thenumbers.

Magazine 92 is mounted on an upstanding portion of the frame 14 andcomprises a holder 120 for the stackof dividers-11. The bottom of theholder is open except for small projecting lips (not shown) preferablyonly on two sides to support the dividers in the magazine.

Feeding means 94 comprises a cross shaped vacuum manifold 122 secured tothe upper end of a piston rod 123 of an air cylinder 124 (see Figures 1,2 and 3). A rod guide125 passing through a guide bearing 126 on frame 14is also secured-to manifold 122 to prevent any rotation of the manifoldyet to permit its vertical movement. Communicating with the hollow.interior of vacuum manifold are threevacuum cups127 and a vacuurn line128. A vacuum hose 129 connects to pipe 128.

A bracket 131 forming a part of frame 14 pivotally supports a pair ofcam plates 132. Attached to the cam plates are divider folding plates133. A pin 134 projecting from cam plates 132 is used as a mounting forone end P of spring 135. On each side of the machine, elements 131through 135 are in duplicate, with each of the duplicate pieces beingspaced a short distance apart so that the base of vacuum manifold 122will pass therebetween (see particularly Figure 1). On each side of thevacuum mania fold 122 is a projecting pin 136 which-moves cam plates 132between the full line and dotted line positions shown in Figure 6.

A cross member 139 is securedto arms 43 and carries a pair of guides140. A crossguide 141 which also serves fas a preliminary folderismounted on frame 14 justbeyond (in the direction of movementof .theproduct)- cross member 139. 7

Control means The various units of the'control means are'illustratedschematically in association .with other parts of the'ma-' chine inFigure 7. The. electrical control apparatusis connected to a suitablesource of electrical supplythrough Pairs of rollers a main switch 145and'apair of fuses 14 6. From'these fusesa re two main power lines 147and 148, respectively.

The operation of the air cylinder 106 for the transfer table 90 iscontrolled by an electrically actuated four-way valve 150 having a pairof actuating solenoids 151 and 152. An air supply pipe 153 from thevalve 150 connects to a suitable source of air pressure through astrainer I 154, a pressure regulating valve 155 and a lubricator 156(Figure 2), Pipe 157 is an air exhaust. Pipes 158 and 159 connect valve150 with cylinder 106.

One side of each ofsolenoids 151 and 152 is connected to line'147 bywires 162 and 163, respectively, with the other side of thetwo'solenoids being connected to a twoposition stepping switch generally164 which is actuated by the movement of arms 70 through a momentarycontact switch 165 (positioned as seen in Figure 5). Various forms,ofstepping switches 164 might be employed. As a matterof fact, theelectrical actuation through switch 165 could well be replaced by amechanical movement asis well-known in the art. In any event thestepping relay'164 illustrated comprises a pair of solenoids 166- and167 having a common armature 168 constructed to close either switch 169or switch 170. One side of each of switches 169 and 170 is connected toline 148 through a. wire 171. The opposite side of switch 170 isconnected to solenoid 151 and to solenoid-166 by a wire 172. Similarly,the opposite side of switch 169 is connected to sole noid 152 and tosolenoid 167 by a wire 173. The oppo-' relay 178. The time delay relaymay be of any wellknown type, preferably one providing adjustableperiods of time delay such as for example an Agastat time delay relaytype 1. Such a relay has a switch 179 which is closed immediately uponthe energizing of the relay and which opens a predetermined time afterthe relay was energized no matter what happens in the energizing circuitin the meantime. One of contacts 180 is connected to line 147 by awire'181 and the other contact 180 is connected by a wire 182 to asnap-action switch 183. The other side of snap-action switch 183 isconnected to line 148 by a wire 184. One side of switch 179 is connectedto line 148 by a wire 185. t

Referring again to Figures 2, 3, and 5, switch 183 is mounted on crossbar 139. Also mounted on cross member 139 are a pair of supports .189onwhich a flapper 190 is pivotally supported by a pin 191. Secured toflapper 190 is a finger 192 having a roller 193 rotatably mounted on theend thereof. Roller 193 contacts the actuating member 194 of switch 183.i

The air cylinders 124 and 124' are actuated by a fourway air valve 197operated by a pair of solenoids 198 and 199. A pipe 200 connects valve197 to a suitable source of air pressure through a strainer 201, apressure regulating valve 202 and-a lubricator 203 (Figure 2). Pipe204'is the valve exhaust. The two air cylinders 124 and 124' operate inthe'reverse of each other and therefore one side of'four-way valve197'is connected by a pipe 205 to the upper end of cylinder 124' and thelower end of cylinder 124. Similarly, a pipe 206 connects the lower endof cylinder 124' and the upper end of cylinder 124 to-four-way valve 197(see also Figures 2 and 3').

Four-way air valve 197 is actuated in synchronism with a four-way vacuumvalve 208 having a pair of operating solenoids 209 and 210. As will beseen, one side of each of solenoids 198, 199, 209 and 210 is connectedto line 148 by wires 211 through 214, respectively. The opposite side ofsolenoids 198a'nd 210 are connected together andto a snap-action switch215 bya wire 216. Similarly, the opposite sides of the two solenoids 199and 209 are connected together and tea snap-action switch 217 by a wire218. Switch 215 is mounted on frame 14 in a position to be contacted'bypin 116 on table (see Figure l) and switch 217 is similarly mounted tobe contacted by pin 115. The opposite sides of the two switches 215 and217 are con- I nected together by a wire 219 which leads to line 147.Pipe 111 and hose 112 connected to vacuum heads 109 also communicatewith valve 208 through a pipe 223. Similarly, vacuum heads 11 0, pipe113 and hose 114 are connected to valve 208 by a pipe 224. Pipe' 225connects valve 208 with a suitable source of vacuum such as vacuum pump226. Pipe 227 is an exhaust pipe.

The application of the vacuum to vacuum heads 127 and 127 is determinedby a four-way vacuum valve 230 having operating solenoids 231 and 232and by snap-action switches 233 and 234. As will be seen in Figures 2and 3, switches 233 and 234 are positioned to be actuated by manifolds122 and 122 respectively, as the two manifolds reach the lower end oftheir vertical stroke.

side of switch 233 is connected to. solenoid 232 by a wire 236.Similarly the opposite side of switch 234 is connected to solenoid 231by a wire 237. Solenoids 231' and 232 are connected to line 147 by wires238 and 239, respectively. Valve 230 communicates with vacuum pump 226through a pipe 240. Pipe 241 is exhaust pipe. Vacuum hose 129 connectsto valve 230 by a pipe 242. Similarly hose 129' connects to valve 230through a pipe 243.

Operation In commencing the operation of. the machine the switch will beclosed to energize the control system, vacuum pump 226 will be started,and pipes 153 and 200 will be connected to a suitable source of airpressure'to operate the air cylinders. The groups of shingled, slices ofbacon will move into the card positioner'along feed conveyor 15 inthe'direction indicated by arrow 250. Assume that a divider 11 has beenpositioned in front of the feed conveyor as shown in Figure 5 (it willbe apparent from the following description that this can be done tocommence the operations either by manually positioning a card at thatpoint or manually actuating switch 143 several times). Further assumethat the transfer table 90 is in the position illustrated in Figure 1.

When the table is in this position the piston rod 123 of As a group ofslices 10 reach the end of the feed conveyor 15, the slices push flapper190 to actuate switch 1 83 which energizes relay 178 and closes switch179. Solenoid 77 is energized through the circuit from line 148, wire185, switch 179, wire 177, solenoid 77, and

wire 176 to line 147. The solenoid 77 pulse armature 76 down pivotingarms 70 in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 71 to raisepulleys68. The pulleys and their associated belts 66 come up withinthecutout 97 in transfer table 90 to contact the bottom surface of thedivider and commence moving the divider in the same direction that thebacon was moving. The speed of movement of the divider should besubstantiallyidentical with the speed of movement of the group of slices10 so that the bacon is deposited evenly on the divider.

At the end of the time delay period after relay 178 was energized,switch 179 of that relay opens. This 70 and the parts associatedtherewith lower these arms to actuate switch 165. Switch is a momentarycon 75 tact switch. During this momentary contact a circuit J One sideof each of the switches 233 and 234- is connected to line 148 by a wire235. The opposite I solenoid-167;?switch.169 ahd wire 171 to line148;This

energiZes-.;solenoid 147-to movearmature 168- to the right "in :Figure7to open switch 169and' close switch 1 170.? The closing-iof switch 170creates a circuit: from line1-14'l-through.,, solenoiddSL-of valve 150by'means of.-wires 172, switch4170, and wire 171 to line 14$. Solenoid151rreverses-tthe position of valve 150 to apply the-air pressuresto theother end of cylinder 106.: The airzhcylirider 106 :thereupon movestable 90 to the opposite? end :of its :strokef where. it comes to rest.As it moves .to the Oih1:'6l'ld of its stroke it carries with it a newdividertll from magazine 91' which is held on table- 90by vacuum cups109. The unoccupied end of table 90.from which-the divider has beenremoved as just describedmoves under. magazine 92.

The.:movement of table 90 bringsvpin 115 into contact with switch217iandcloses the switch to produce a circuit: from iline "147 '5 through.solenoid- 209: of valve 268 andathroughfsolenoid; 199 'of valve 197;The circuit throughnsolenoid 209', i.e. wire'219, switch 217, wire218;fsolenoid 209 vand wire 213, repositions valve 208 to cutofi thevacuum to vacuum cups 109 through pipe'223 audio-exhaust this'. pipettoatmosphere. At the same time a vacuum'is applied to cups 110 throughpipe 224. The release of .the vacuum on vacuum cups 109 permits thedivider that is now'positioned at the end of feed conveyor 15 "tothe-moved away with the next subsequent group of Jslices proceeding;along the feed conveyor. The application of vacuum to cups. 110 putsthese cups in a position to grasp a divider as it is brought frommagazine 92 as hereinafter described.

The energizing of solenoid 199 (circuit from line 147 through wire 219,switch 217, wire 218, solenoid 199 and wire 212- to line 148)-repositi0ns valve 197 so that air under pressure'is now applied 'throughpipe 206 to the upper end of cylinder 124 and'to the lower end'ofcylinder 124 The vacuum cups 127 on manifold 122 have previnew=dividerwhen it is movedatothemwThe'repositionously-graspe'd the bottom of adivider in magazine 92. As

themanifold 122-rnoves downwardly with the divider 11,

pin 136 strikes the upper surface of cam plates 132 pivot-- ingcamplates132 clockwise as shown in Figure 6. The

movement of the-cam plates and the folding plates 133 from-the fulllineto the dotted line position shown in Figure-6 folds the divider intotwo portions. Preferably the divider ll has'be'en scored along a lineasindicated at 251 in-Figure -6 so as to facilitate the folding ofthedivider.-- As -themanifold -122 reaches its lower position the-divider11 thereon is grasped by vacuum cups110 on transfer table 90.

coinciding with the movement of manifold 122 downwardly, manifold 122"moves upwardly. Again referring to Figure 6, the-upward movement ofmanifold 122 brings pins'136' into contactwith the lower right-handsurface ofcamplates 132 whereupon these cam plates again pivot'in aclockwise'direction to permit the pins 136 to pass by. When the manifold122' reachesthe upper end of it's'stroke'the vacuum-cups127' are incontact with the lowermostdivider in magazine 91;

As manifold 122 reaches the bottom end of its stroke it actuates' switch233'to complete a circuit from line 147 through wire 239, s'olenoid232,-wire 236, switch 233, and wire 23S to'line 148; Solenoid 232 beingenergized repositionsfou'r-way valve 230 to cut off thevacuum tomanifol'd122 and'exhaust that manifold to air, thereby releasing thedivider- 11 that had been brought into contact withvacuum cups 110 andgrasped thereby.

At the same timevalve 230applied a vacuum to manifoldi122"through pipe-243so that. vacuum cups 127" which are in contact with the bottomdivider in maganextactua'ted by a group of slices contacting flapper-190, s0len'oid"77"'is energized." Whenit is energized :deposited onithe, divider,- the take-away conveyorcomes down to actuate switch-175and-Jereatea momentaryv circuit through solenoid 166uof1stepping-switch164 to again; openi'switchi170 and closeeswitch 169.:thereofa.

The repositioning of the two switches :169:-.and '170 en-z-rergizessolenoid 152.: and ale-energizes: solenoid #151. of:

valve ISO-to apply air pressure-to ,the opposite endfof air cylinder106' andsmovetransfer :tables to the..op-, posite' end of .itsastroket aAs it moves to .the opposite. end of :its 0 stroke 2 the vacuum. cups.carry 3 the divider (which has just; been withdrawn from magazine W92by1 manifold 122) to the proper position under feed... conveyor 15.- Indoing so, usually the upper portion. 13 of the divider whichwas-bentpvenas :described in :connection with-Figure 1'6, zhasreturnedto aposi-rtion'more -upright=than-that shown in the dotted .line-H.

position 'Figurea. However, if the. upper portion of. the dividerremainsbent too far it will be straightened. upnby guides 140. Anyexcessive tbending oftheup. rightrportionv of the divider in the'opposite direction willbe correctedgbyguide 14111- I I With therepositioning rotatable 90, .switch. :217; is opened and; 1 switch 215:is closed rtoproduce .an 6186:. a tricalcircuit' through'the solenoids210and .198 of valves 208 I and 1197; respectively; Energizing solenoid210 ;re- 1 positionsavalve :208 to -applyna vacuum tovacuumcups L 109and release the vacuum from. vacuummups 110; Thus the divider t-that.has been moved-under. the I feed conveyorrls is "released toreceiVeproduct while the vacuum :cru smnder-maga ine 9l areszready to grasp;a

ing .of valve-197 by energizing- SOIEIYOid-v198 -'applies,t-.- airpressure throughpipe .2051 toraise manifold; 1-22. and I applies:=pressure'.to: cylinder". 124'-. to lower nianifoldn. 12,2.vv As:m'anifold :122' -comesdown it draws with;

it theizbottomadivider in magazine 91-which hadebeen grasped by vacuum:cups -127'-. The divideris bent by. thevfoldin'g 'plates- 133; aspreviously described with re-- spect to ;Figure..6. Upon reachingthedowerendof-its. 1 stroke manifold-.122; actuates'switch 234 toproduce-a 1' circuit -through;'sclenoid' 231. of-valve-230 resulting-Linthe repositioning of valve-230. Valve ;230"nowre-=, leases :the vacuum:from' vacuumucups :127 and applies-v. vacuum to cups 127.

From thei foregoing .description it will -beapparent that :themcycle:10f :operations 'is initiated: by -:the =move-- ment of a group ofslices 10.-along feedingaconveyon 15;-.thus, the problems of timing ofthe machine ,with I respect :to the movement vof the. groups of-sliceson the-=; feed. conveyor are taken care. of. The, only require ment isthat the groups .of slices-be suificientlyfar apart on'the feed conveyor"15 so thata new divider 11 may be movedqinto. position by transfertable 90*after;thepreceding divider is :movedvout of the way.Theactuations-rof gthe otherucomponents are all tied in sequence-1totheinitial actuationof switch 183 by flapper190:t;;

As thedividerslhwith' thegroups ofslices 10there-3 on move :away fromtherfeed conveyor. 15-.by the urg-,; ing of the take-awaylconveyor 17,the divides, is first; pushed down by" bar 141 nwith the folding of:the' upper portion 13. of divider 11.. beingxcompleted ,by rollers82i..

The foregoing .detailed.t description vis only for clear-1 ness ofunderstanding and for the purpose of complying with 35 U.S.C. 112,and-we do-not vdesire to be limited to the exact details of constructionshown and;;;.

described for obvious modificationswill occur-to a per-i, son skilled inthenart. .For example, the-time delay=of relay 178'hasbeenincorporatedto insurewthat one :card. positioned at the :end offeed: conveyor :15.is movedout ;of theeway byitake-taway conveyor :17 before:;a newii a a 9j card is moved into position by card positioning means 16. The sameresult could be achieved by the use of a card sensing means, such as aswitch, along take-away conveyor 17 to determine when the card had beenmoved clear of table 90.

We claim:

1. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said devicecomprising a conveyor having a conveying surface for moving individualunits of product along a path'in a given direction to a predeterminedpoint, card positioning means to position one card at a time below saidsurface at said point, a second conveyor at said point normallyineffective to move said one card from said point, and means connectedto said second conveyor to render said second conveyor eifective to movesaid one card from said point in response to a unit of product reachinga given point along said path and connected to said positioning means tomove an additional card to said point.

2. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said devicecomprising a conveyor having 'a'conveying surface for moving individualunits of product along a path in a given direction to a predeterminedpoint, card positioning means to position one card at a time below saidsurface at said point, a second conveyor at said point and movablebetween a firstposition at which said second conveyor will not engagesaid one card and a second position at which it will engage said onecard, and means i 7 connected to said second'conveyor to move it from.said first to said second position-in response to a ,unitofproductreaching a given point along said'path; 7

3. A device for placing product on cards or, the like, said devicecomprising a conveyor having a conveying surface forv moving individualunits of product along a path in a given direction to .a predeterminedpoint, card positioning means to position one card at a time below saidsurface at said point, a second conveyor at said point and movablebetween a first position at which said second conveyor will not engagesaid one card and a.

second position at which it will engage-said one card, and meansconnected to said second conveyor to move it from said first to saidsecond position when a unit ofproduct reaches said point and to move itfrom said 7 second, position to said firstv position a predetermined.length of time after said unit of product reaches said point: e

4. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said devicecomprising a conveyor having a conveying surface for moving individualunits of product along a path in a given direction to a predeterminedpoint, card positioning means to position one card at atime below saidsurface at said point by moving cards alternately from opposite sides ofsaid point and positioning them at said point after the card previouslypositioned at said point has been removed,'a second conveyor at saidpoint normally ineffective to move said one card from said point, andmeans connected to said second conveyor to render said second conveyoreffective to move said one card from saidpoint in response to a unit ofproduct reaching a given point along said path and connected to saidpositioning means subsequently to move an additional card'to said point.

5. A device for placing product on cards or the like,

- said device comprising a conveyor having a conveying surface formoving individual units of product along a path in a given direction toa predetermined point, a transfer table movable between a first positionbelow said surface at said point and the opposite sides of saidconveyor, magazine means for said cards, means to remove a card from themagazine means and to place it on the table when the table is moved toeach side of a.

said conveyor, a second'conveyor at said point, and con-i trol,means.connected to said second conveyor and to unit of product reaching'a given point along said path Y I conveyor to a second position atwhich said one engagingmeans is at the opposite side of said conveyorwith the other engaging means below said surface at said point, cardmagazine means, means to remove a card from said magazine means and movethe card to the engaging means projecting from a side of said conveyor,a' second conveyor at said point, and control means connected to saidsecond conveyor and to said table to cause said second conveyor toengage a card on said table at said point in response to a unit ofproduct reaching a given point along said path and to move said tablefrom its existing position to the other of its two positions.

'7. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said 'devicecomprising a conveyor having a conveying surface for moving individualunits of product along a path in a given direction to a predeterminedpoint, a transfer table having two spaced card engaging means, saidtable being movable from aposition at which one of saidengaging means isbelow said surface at said point with the other engaging means at a sideof said conveyor to a second position at which said one engaging meansis at the opposite side of said conveyor with the other engaging meansbelow said surface at said point, a card magazine at each side of saidtable, feeding means at each side of said table to move a card from themagazine at each side to the engaging means at that side, a secondconveyor at said point, and control means connected to said secondconveyor and to said table to cause said second conveyor to engage acard at said point in response to a unit of product reaching a givenpoint along said' surface for moving individual units of product along apath in a given direction to a predetermined point, a transfer tablemovable between a first position below said surface at said point andthe opposite sides of said conveyor, magazine means for said cards,means to remove a card from the magazine means and to place it on thetable when the table is moved to each side of said conveyor, a secondconveyor at said point andmovable between a first position at which saidsecond conveyor will not engage said onecard and a second position atwhich it will engage said one card, and control means connected to saidsecond conveyor and to said table to 9. A device for placing product oncards or the like, saiddevice comprising a conveyor having a conveyingsurface for moving individual units of product along a path in a givendirection to a predetermined point,

a transfer table having two spaced card engaging means,

said table being movable from a position at which one of said engagingmeans is below said surface at said point with the-other engaging meansat a side ofsaidconveyor to-a second position-at which said one engagingmeans.

is =at 1the opposite, side of said conveyor with the 7 other engagingmeans below said surface at said point, card magazine'-means,-means torremove a card "from said magazine means and move the card to theengaging means projecting froma side of said conveyor, a second conveyorat said point having a conveying surface movable between a firstpositionat which said surface is below a card on.

saidtablewith said surface free of said card to a second,- higherposition at which said surface ofsaid second conveyor; engages saidcard, and controlmeans connected to said'second conveyortand to saidtable to raise said surface :of said. second conveyor from said first tosaid positioning-means to place a card, at least, partially folded intotwo portions, with'one of said portions below Saidsurface with the foldimmediatelyadjacent said point and saidone portion extending in thereverse of said direction from .said fold and with the other portionextending upwardly from said fold across the end of said surface, asecondconveyor at said point normally ineffective to movesaid one cardfrom ,saidpoint, and means connected to said second conveyor to rendersaid second conveyor effective to move said-one card from said'point inresponse 'to a unitof product reaching a given point along-said path andconnectedto said positioning means tomove anadditional card to saidpoint.

11. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said devicecomprising a first conveyor having a conveying=surface ending-at a givenpoint for movingunits of productin a. given direction across saidpoint,-a magazine for holdinggthe cards, means to remove one card at atim'ezfrom said magazine andto fold saidonecard into;

two portions, cardpositioning means to place said folded one card with.one of said portions below said surface with :the :fold: immediatelyadjacent saidpoint and said onexportionextending in the reverse of saiddirection. from said fold and "with theother-portion extending.up-

wardly from said fold across the: end of said surface, a

second conveyor at said point. normallytinefiectiveto move said one cardfrom said point, andmeans connected tosaid second conveyor to rendersaid second conveyor effective-to move said one card from said point inresponse to a unit of product reaching a given point along said path'andconnected to said positioning means to move an additional card to saidpoint.

12. A device for placing product on cards or the-like,

said device comprising a first conveyor having a conveying surfaceending at a given pointfor-movingunits' of -productin a given directionacrosssaid point,- a

transfer" table movablebetweena first position below' said s'urface atsaid point and the opposite sides of "said conveyor,- magazine-meanstoholdthe fiat cards, means to-remove one card at-a time-from magazinemeans and -tofold-said onecard into two'portions and to place 7 iton-the-tablewhen the table-is moved to each side ofsaidconveyorwith-thecard' in a position such that when the portionof-the table carrying said one-card is movedto said first position saidcard will be positioned with":

One -of-said -portions---below-said surface with the-fold immediatelyadjacent said pointandsaid one portiorr' extending-in the reverse ofsaid directionfrom said fold and with the other portion extendingupwardly fromsaid foldacrossthe; end of saidsurfaceya second conveyor atsaidpoint, and'control means connected to said second conveyor: and-tosaid table to cause said'second conveyon to engage: a card: on said-.table at said first position :in

12., response to taunitr, of product reaching a given pointalonghsaidfpath and-to move said table to place another, card at saidfirst position.

13. I-Adevice, forflplacing shingled groups of slices of ,meat onto acardboard divider or the like, said device comprising an endlessconveyor mounted on a plurality of pulleys forming a generallyhorizontal run terminating at one of said pulleys toward which thegroups move alongrsaid run in a given first direction, a transfertable",

positioned belowsaid one pulley and having divider engaging means tohold a divider on said table at two places on-said table spaced acrosssaid table in a direction transverse to said' run, said table beingmounted for movementrfrom a first position at which one place is 7 belowsaid run with the other place at a side of said run to'a second positionat which said one place is at the'opposite side of said run and saidother place is below said run, divider feeding means to place a divideron each place when each place is at a sideof said conveyor witha portionof said card extending in the first direction a distance beyond theextent of said run in said direction whereby as said divider ismoved'under said run vsaid portion oftsaid dividerwill be beyond saidone pulley in said direction, and means to withdraw the divider fromtheplace positioned under said run as a group is deposited-thereon fromsaid conveyor.

14. A device for placingshingled groups of slices of meat ontoa'cardboard divider or the like, saiddevice comprising an endlessconveyor mountedon a plurality ofpulleys forming agenerally. horizontalrun terminating,-

at one of said pulleystoward which the groups move along said runin agiven first direction, a transfer table positionedbelow said one pulleyand having divider engaging means to hold a divider on said table at twoplaces on said table spaced across said table in a direction trans-Wverse to said run, said table being'mounted for movement 1 from a firstposition at which one place is below said run, with, the otherplace at aside of said run to asecond,

position, at which said one place is at the opposite side of said runandsaid other place is below said run, maga-,

zine meanstto hold. said dividers, divider feeding means to withdraw adivider from saidmagazine means, bend 1: the'divider into two portions,and place the divider on E each place when eachplace is at a side ofsaid conveyor with one of said. portions being generally horizontal and,the other of said portions extending upwardly in a position such thatwhen that .placelis moved under said run said other portion will bebeyond said one pulley .in said direction, andlmeans to withdraw thedivider from the place .a

positionedundersaid run as a group is deposited thereon from-saidconveyor.

.15. A device for placing shingled groupsof slicesfl of meat onto. acardboard divider or thelike, said device comprising an'endless conveyormounted on a plurality v of pulleys forming a generally horizontalrunterminating r,

at one of said pulleys toward which the groups move along said run intagiven first direction at .a given rate. of speed, a transfer tablepositioned below said one pulley and having divider engaging means tohold a divider on said table at two placeson said table spacedacrosssaid table in a direction transverse to said run, said table beingmounted for movement from a first position at which one placeiis belowsaid run. with the other place ata side of said run to a second positionat which said one place is atthe opposite side. of said run andsaidother place. is below said run, magazine means to hold said dividersdividcri feeding means to withdraw a divider fromsaid magazine means,bend the divider into two portions, and

place the divider on each place when eachplace is .at a side;,ofsaid-conveyor with; one ofsaid portions being;

generally horizontal and the'other of said :portions extendingupwardlyin a position such-thatwhenthatplace' is moved underlsaid run saidotherportion-will be beyondvsaidone pulley in said. :direction,'.asecond endless conveyorahavinga generally horizontal run along which:

r tutdividers may be moved in said first direction at substantially saidrate of speed with the initial portion of said run being below thelocation of a divider on said table when said one portion of saiddivider is under said first mentioned run, said second conveyor beingmovable from a position at which the run thereof is out of contact withsaid one portion of a divider so positioned to a second position atwhich the run thereof is in contact with said one portion of a dividerso positioned, and means to move said second conveyor from said first tosaid second position in response to a group reaching a given point alongthe first conveyor.

16. The method of placing shingled groups of slices of meat into acardboard divider including the steps of moving spaced groups in a givendirection at a given rate of speed toward a given point along a path,sequentially positioning a divider at said point with a portion of thedivider so positioned being below said path and extending in the reverseof said direction from said point and another portion of said dividerinclined at least slightly upwardly with respect to said first portionand extending beyond said point in said direction, moving said dividerso positioned in said direction after said group reaches said point atsubstantially the same rate of speed as said given rate, positioningeach succeeding divider at said point upon the removal of the precedingdivider so positioned and before the succeeding group reaches saidpoint, and folding said other portion of each divider over the top ofthe group on said each divider.

17. The method of placing shingled groups of slices of meat into acardboard divider including the steps of moving spaced groups in a givendirection at a given rate of speed toward a given point along a path,bending said dividers into two portions, sequentially positioning a bentdivider at said point with a portion of the divider so positioned beingbelow said path and extending in the reverse of said direction from saidpoint and the other portion of said divider extending beyond said pointin an upwardly direction, moving said divider so positioned in saiddirection after said group reaches said point at substantially the samerate of speed as said given rate, positioning the succeeding divider atsaid point upon the removal of the preceding divider so positioned andbefore the succeeding group reaches said point, and folding said otherportion of each divider over the top of the group on said each divider.

18. The method of placing shingled groups of slices of meat into acardboard divider including the steps of moving spaced groups in a givendirection at a given rate of speed toward a given point along a path,bending said dividers into two portions, sequentially moving dividersfrom opposite sides of said path with one portion of said divider belowsaid path and the other portion of said divider extending upwardly abovethe level of said path beyond said point in said direction after theremoval of the preceding divider from the next foilowing describedposition, and sequentially positioning each divider moved from oppositesides of said path at said point with a portion of the divider sopositioned being below said path and extending in the reverse of saiddirection from said point and the other portion of said dividerextending beyond said point in an upwardly direction, moving saiddivider so positioned in said direction after said group reaches saidpoint at substantially the same rate of speed as said given rate.

19. The method of enfolding a shingled group of slices of meat in asheet of divider material including the steps of moving spaced groups ina given direction at a given rate of speed toward a given point along apath, sequentially moving successive sheets of divider material fromopposite sides of said path to beneath said point with a first portionof each sheet below said path and a second portion of said sheetextending generally upwardly with respect to said first portion andforwardly of said point in said direction, moving said divider in saiddirection as a group passes said point at substantially the same rate ofspeed as said given rate whereby the shingled group is received uponsaid first portion of the sheet, and folding the second portion of saidsheet over the top of the group while advancing said sheet.

20. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said devicecomprising a first conveyor having a conveyor surface ending at a givenpoint for moving units of product in a given direction across saidpoint, card positioning means to place a card, at least partially foldedinto two portions, with one of said portions below said surface with thefold immediately adjacent said point and said one portion extending inthe reverse of said direction from said fold and with the other portionextending upwardly from said fold across the end of said surface, asecond conveyor at said point normally ineffective to move said one cardfrom said point, means connected to said second conveyor to render saidsecond conveyor effective to move said one card from said point inresponse to a unit of product reaching a given point along said path andconnected to said positioning means to move an additional card to saidpoint, and bending means spaced from said point in said direction alongsaid second conveyor to fold said other portion of the card over saidproduct.

21. A device for placing product on cards or the like, said devicecomprising a first conveyor having a conveyor surface ending at a givenpoint for moving units of product in a given direction across saidpoint, a transfer table movable between a first position below saidsurface at said point and the opposite sides of said conveyor, magazinemeans to hold the flat cards, means to remove one card at a time frommagazine means and to fold said one card into two portions and to placeit on the table when the table is moved to each side of said conveyorwith the card in a position such that when the portion of the tablecarrying said one card is moved to said first position said card will bepositioned to one of said portions below said surface with the foldimmediately adjacent said point and said one portion extending in thereverse of said direction from said fold with the other portionextending upwardly from said fold across the end of said surface, asecond conveyor at said point, control means connected to said secondconveyor and to said table to cause said second conveyor to engage acard on said table at said first position in response to a unit ofproduct reaching a given point along said path and to move said table toplace another card at said first position, and bending means along saidsecond conveyor beyond said table in said direction to fold said otherportion of the card over the product.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,540,945 Hart Feb. 6, 1951

